Score indicator



March 19, 1929. T. J. MCDOWELL 1,706,308

SCORE INDICATOR Filed April 14, 1928 a, I I 3.5 a I "I, Vi 5T a? is glwuentoaav Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

STATES THOMAS J. MCDOWELL,

OF SIDELL, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MAB/IE MCDOWELL, OF SIDELL, ILLINOIS.

scone INDICATOR.

Application filed April 14,

This invention relates to a score indicator and has relation more particularly to a device of this kind especially designed and adapted for use in indicating the scores made in playing basketballyvolley ball and other kindred games, and it is an object of the invention to provide an indicator of this kind which can be operated with speed and is accurate.

It is also an object of the lI1V8I1t1011 tO provide a device of this kind comprising means whereby the reading or score of the indicator as exposed may be brought out in conspicuity as through the medium of light rays. I

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved score indicator whereby certain important advantages are attained and the de-, vice rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed,

In order that my invention may be the better understood "I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein-:-

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a score indicator constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2'is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken sub-' stantially on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure is a fragmentary sectional view of a drum and locking flange carried there- As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, C denotes a casing ofrequisite dimen sions and adapted in practice to be positioned as best complies with the requirements, and this casing C has the central part of its front wall 1 disposed outwardly on an are as indicated at 2, said arcuate pore tion extending from one end of the casing to the other. Adjacent to each end the arcuate portion 2 of the front wall 1 is provided with the pairs 3 of openings, one pair of such openings being employed to indicate the score of the home team and the other pair to indicate the score of the visitors team. The wall 1 at, its upper por- 1928. Serial No. 2703003.

tion above each pair 8 of openings is provided with the indication 4 to facilitate the desired identification of'the score.

Supported by the end walls 5 of the ca"- ing G is atubular member or axle 6, the arcuate portion 2 of the wall 1 being substantially concentric to such member or axle 6.

Freely mounted on the member or axle 6 are the drums D, each of said drums being associated with a single opening within the arcuate portion 2 of the casingand of a diameter to closely approach said arcuate portion. Each of the drums D is preferably formed of metal and the peripheral wall 7 thereof is provided thcrearound with the circumferentially spaced score indications 8 preferably ranging consecutively from O to 9 and in connection with each pair 3 of openings the indications of one drum indi cate units and the indications of the second drum vconstituting tens. Each of the indications 8 is relatively large in size and of such dimensions to be completely observed through an opening of either of the pairs 3 and these indications are preferablycut through the peripheral wall 7 so that an indication exposed through an opening will be brought out in conspicuity by the rays of an electric bulb 9 supported by the memher or axle 6 at a'point within the drum.

A side wall'10 of each of the drums D has fixed thereto a ratchet Wheel 11 provided in its periphery with ten teeth 12, one of such teeth corresponding with an indication 8. The ratchet wheel 11 is preferably ap plied to the sidewall 10 of the drum although it may be applied as otherwise pre ferred.

Coacting with the teeth 12 of each of the ratchet wheels 11 is a dog 14: pivotally engaged with a lever 15, said lever having its inner end pivotally engaged with the member or axle 6 and itsouter end portion disposed through a slot 17 of any desired length provided in the arcuate portion 2 of the front wall 1.

The dog 14 is constantly urged toward the periphery of the ratchet wheel 11 by the fiat spring 18 having one end port-ion secured to the lever 15 with its opposite end portion pressing against the outer end portion of the dog.

By pressing downwardly upon the lever 15, the ratchet wheel 11 together with the associated drum D will be rotated a distance sufficiently to expose a succeeding indication 8 so that as each of the teams scores the scoring device may be conveniently operated to indicate such score.

After the lever has been depressed and pressure is removed therefrom, the same returns to its normal upper position through the instrumentality of a retractile spring 19,

one end of which being suitably anchored, as at 20, to the bottom wall 21 of the casing C and its opposite or upper end portion is affixed to the outer extremity of a rod 22 secured to the pivoted end portion of the lever 15 and disposed in a direction toward the rear wall 23 of the casing.

Each of the drums D has secured to the periphery thereof and projecting beyond-a side of the drum a circumferentially disposed continuous flange 2% provided with the circumferentially spaced openings 25, each of which being arranged adjacent to an indication 8. -Disposed through the top wall 26 of the casing G is a downwardly disposed rod 27 which is adapted to engage within one of the openings to normally hold the drum D against rotation; This rod 27 is normally urged downwardly for engagement with the flange 24 by the expansible coil spring 28 encircling the upper reduced portion of the rod 27 and interposed between the top wall 26 of the casing and the intermediate shoulder 29 carried by the rod.

The upper end of the rod 27 projects above the top wall 26 of the casing and is operatively engaged with a lever 30 pivotally supported intermediate its ends by an upstanding bracket 31 mounted upon the top wall 26. This lever 801's forwardly disposed and the end portion thereof remote from the rod 27 serves as a trigger or key which, when depressed will result in the requisite upward movement of the rod 27 to free the same from the flange 24.

The member or axle 6 is tubular and the. conductor wires 32 for the bulbs 9 are disposed within the member or axle 6 to substantially the longitudinal center thereof and fromwhieh point they are extended to the upper portion of the casing C for connection with a suitable source of electric supply. Interposed' in the conductors 32 is a switch 33 of any desired type. In the present embodiment of my invention the bulbs 9, are shown as arranged in series although, if preferred, they may be otherwise arranged.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a score indicator constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as iereinafter claimed.

1 claim 1. In an indicator of the character described, a casing having a window formed in one wall thereof. a rotatable indicia bearing drum mounted within the casing with the periphery thereof arranged adjacent said window to be viewed therethrough, means for imparting a step by step rotary movement to the drum, and means operable from the exterior of the casing for securing the drum at predetermined intervals.

2. An indicator of the character'described, comprising a casing having one wall provided with a window opening, a drum rotatably mounted in the casing with the periphery thereof adjacent and viewable through the window, said casing wall being curved outwardly to conform to the curvature of the drum, means for rotating the drum, a reciprocable latch member carried by the casing and secured thereto and adapted to engage and secure the drum at predetermined points about the periphery thereof, and means for actuating the latch member from the exterior of the casing.

3. An indicator of the character de-' scribed, comprising a casing having one wall provided with a window opening, .adrum rotatably mounted in the casing with the periphery thereof adjacent and viewable through the window, said casing wall being curved outwardly to conform to the curvature of the drum, meansfor rotating the drum, a band surrounding said durm and provided with a plurality of recesses, a spring controlled reciprocable latch carried by the casing and designed to engage in the recesses of said band to maintain the drum against movement, and an actuating clever operable from the exterior of the casing, for shifting said latch from engagement with the band. 7

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

TrioMAs J. arenowniin 

